Ijharul Islam
A screen recording has no sound when the recorder wasn't told to capture it, or wasn't allowed to. There are two separate sounds: your voice (the microphone) and the computer's sound (system or tab audio), and most recorders treat them separately. On a Mac, the built-in recorder only captures system audio on macOS 27 or later; in a browser, you have to tick Share tab audio or Share system audio in the share window.
More on this topic: Video editing how-tos, every guide in one place.
First work out which sound is missing, then use the fix for your device.
The short answer
No voice: choose a microphone in the recorder and allow microphone access (Windows: Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone; Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone). No computer sound: on a Mac, choose Include System Audio in the Shift-Command-5 toolbar (macOS 27 or later) or use a virtual audio device on older versions; in Chrome or Edge, tick Share tab audio (tab) or Share system audio (entire screen); on phones, turn on device audio or the microphone in the recorder's options. Some apps block their sound from being recorded.
Key takeaways
- Voice and computer sound are separate settings; check which one is missing.
- Permissions are the top cause of a silent microphone on Windows and Mac.
- Mac's built-in recorder gets system audio only on macOS 27 or later.
- In Chrome and Edge, tab audio needs Share tab audio; whole-screen sound needs Share system audio, which isn't offered everywhere.
- Streaming apps and some calls block screen capture or their audio by design.
Why does my screen recording have no sound?
Your screen recording has no sound because the sound source wasn't selected, permission was denied, or the app playing the sound blocks capture. Match what's missing:
| What's missing | Most likely cause | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Everything (silent file) | No microphone selected and no system audio enabled | Your device's section below |
| Your voice | Microphone permission off or wrong mic selected | Fix the microphone |
| The computer's sound | System or tab audio not enabled, or not supported | Your device's section below |
| One app's sound only (a film, a call) | That app blocks recording | Protected content, below |
| Sound is there but very quiet | Low input level or the wrong source | Boost it afterwards |
How do you fix a microphone that isn't recorded?
You fix a microphone that isn't recorded by allowing access and choosing the right input:
- Windows: Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone: turn on microphone access, and access for the app (and for desktop apps).
- Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone: turn on the recording app or browser. Restart the app after changing it.
- Browser: click the camera/mic icon in the address bar and allow the microphone for the site.
- In the recorder: pick the microphone you're actually using (a headset, USB mic or the built-in one), not "None" or a disconnected device.
Test it in 10 seconds with the free mic test before recording again; how to test a microphone has fixes for quiet or dead mics.
How do you record system audio on a Mac?
You record system audio on a Mac with the Screenshot toolbar on macOS 27 or later, or with a virtual audio device on older versions. Apple's support page on screen recording says that to record system audio with the screen recording in macOS 27 or later, you choose Include System Audio (press Shift-Command-5, then Options). To record your voice too, choose a microphone in the same menu.
| macOS version | System audio in a screen recording |
|---|---|
| macOS 27 or later | Shift-Command-5 > Options > Include System Audio |
| Earlier versions | Not built in: use a browser recorder for tab audio, or a free virtual audio device such as BlackHole routed through a Multi-Output Device |
QuickTime Player's New Screen Recording opens the same toolbar on recent versions. On older Macs, the quickest workaround for sound playing in a browser tab is a browser recorder that captures tab audio (below).
How do you record system audio on Windows?
On Windows 11, Snipping Tool's screen recording (Windows + Shift + R, per Microsoft's guide) can record the computer's sound and your microphone in up-to-date versions of the app (version 11.2307 and later, as Windows 11 guides such as ElevenForum's describe): switch system audio and the microphone on in the recording toolbar before you start. If those switches are missing, update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store. Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G) also records an app's sound with its video. If one tool records silence, check that the right output device is set as default in Settings > System > Sound, since recorders capture what's playing on the default output.
For editors such as Audacity, choose the WASAPI host and a loopback input to record whatever the speakers are playing.
How do you record tab or system audio in Chrome or Edge?
You record tab or system audio in Chrome or Edge by ticking the audio box in the browser's share window. What's offered depends on what you share:
| You share | Audio option in Chrome/Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A browser tab | Share tab audio | Works on every desktop system |
| Entire screen | Share system audio | Offered on some systems only |
| A window | Usually none | Share the tab or the whole screen instead |
Chrome's developer documentation says tab audio is offered in the Chrome Tab pane, not the Entire Screen pane, and that pages can ask for system audio, which Chrome has supported on desktop since version 105. MDN adds that browsers may ignore that request because of operating system limits, so a recording can end up with no system audio even when a page asked for it. If whole-screen sound isn't offered, share the tab that's playing the sound.
QuickVeed's free screen recorder mixes your microphone with tab or system sound, records up to 30 minutes at up to 1080p, and is free, runs in your browser and never uploads anything. Leave Record my microphone and Record the tab or system sound ticked, then tick Share tab audio or Share system audio in the share window.
How do you fix no sound in screen recordings on iPhone, Android and Chromebook?
| Device | Fix |
|---|---|
| iPhone and iPad | Apple's screen recording guide: touch and hold the Screen Recording button in Control Center and tap Microphone to record your voice. App sound is recorded with the screen unless the app blocks it. |
| Android | Android Help: in the screen recorder's options, choose to record audio (device audio, microphone or both) before you tap Start. |
| Chromebook | Chromebook Help: in the screen capture bar, open Settings and turn on the microphone, device audio or both. |
Menu names vary between versions and phone makers; look for "audio", "sound" or "microphone" in the recorder's settings.
Why is there no sound from Netflix, Zoom or other apps?
Streaming services and some other apps protect their content, so their picture, sound or both are blocked from screen recordings. That's by design and can't be fixed with settings. For calls and meetings, use the meeting app's own recording feature, and get everyone's permission before recording.
If the recording has sound but it's too quiet, raise it with the free audio volume booster, or pull it out to edit with the free audio extractor. For a full walk-through of recording on each device, see how to screen record on Windows, Mac and Chromebook; to record your face as well, the free webcam recorder captures camera and microphone. And add captions so the video works even when viewers have the sound off: QuickVeed's auto subtitles transcribe it and export SRT or burned-in captions.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my screen recording have no sound on Mac?
The built-in recorder captures system audio only on macOS 27 or later (Include System Audio in Shift-Command-5 Options). Check microphone permission for your voice.
How do I screen record with sound on Windows?
Use Snipping Tool's recording (Windows + Shift + R) with the audio options on, or a browser recorder with Share system audio ticked.
Why is my Chrome screen recording silent?
You need to tick Share tab audio (for a tab) or Share system audio (for the entire screen) in the share window.
Can I record internal audio on iPhone?
Yes: screen recording captures app sound by default; long-press the Screen Recording button to add your microphone. Some apps block it.
Why can't I record sound from Netflix?
Streaming services protect their content, so screen recorders capture silence or black frames.
How do I record my voice and computer sound together?
Use a recorder that mixes both, such as a browser screen recorder with the microphone on and tab or system audio shared, or the Mac toolbar on macOS 27.
Try it with your own video
Turn screen recordings into captioned tutorials and translate them into 32 languages. Upload a screen recording, check the transcript, and add captions. QuickVeed plans start at $18/month, and new accounts get a 14-day trial with 250 credits, no card needed. Sign up or see pricing.
Sources
Competitor details in this post were checked against these public pages in October 2026. Products and prices change, so confirm with each vendor before you decide.
- Apple Support: take a screenshot or screen recording on Mac (system audio on macOS 27 or later)
- Microsoft Support: use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots and recordings
- ElevenForum: turn on or off microphone and system audio when recording with Snipping Tool
- Chrome for Developers: privacy-preserving screen sharing controls (systemAudio)
- MDN: MediaDevices.getDisplayMedia() (audio and systemAudio options)
- Apple Support: record the screen on iPhone or iPad
- Android Help: take a screenshot or record your screen
- Chromebook Help: take a screenshot or record your screen
